R-III plans to cover campus with wireless Internet access

Mass purchase of 130 routers expected to be approved at next meeting, lays framework for advancement of tech plan

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By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO

By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2013 at 11:51 AM

By Taylor Muller/@TaylorMullerKDE

Posted Mar. 27, 2013 at 7:54 PM
Updated Mar 28, 2013 at 11:51 AM

Kirksville

The Kirksville R-III School District is poised to go wireless with the first mass purchase of enough Internet routers to blanket the campus with wireless Internet access, paving the way for broad usage of handheld or tablet computers in the first steps of the district’s recently approved technology plan.

The School Board heard a report Wednesday night on an upcoming vote to purchase 130 wireless access routers, enough to fill out the high school, middle school, Early Childhood Learning Center, Central Office and the Primary School in addition to costs and fees associated with installation.

In all, the project is expected to cost about $120,000.

“This should push us right along, but there is still a lot of work,” said Superintendent Patrick Williams.

He was referring to the policy, training and other infrastructure purchases and expenditures that will follow the laying down of wireless access.

The project is slated to start this summer with the instatement of a web filter, individual login information for each student and teacher as well as new policies regarding the Internet usage.

“Our first priority is getting the wireless connectivity so we can start with everything else,” Williams said.

Last fall, the board approved the purchase of 50 iPad computer tablets and 15 wireless access routers for Ray Miller Elementary. This coming purchase is meant to fill the rest of the gaps across the campus.

Williams said when the wireless installation is complete the campus Internet will be secured and filtered to prevent unauthorized and improper usage.

“It will never be like at a fast food restaurant where you can pull up and just access it,” he said.

The district is also in the midst of its Request for Proposals for its health insurance plan, with adviser Don Tatman taking the lead and presenting the bid specifications to various entities like third-party administrators and insurance providers.

Assistant Superintendent Jane Schaper said a “good” amount of interest has been expressed in providing health insurance benefits for the district’s employees.

The plan is still to assess the options and bids this spring with a decision expected before the summer to allow for open enrollment in the fall.

The district is also expected to begin negotiations on its transportation contract, which it currently holds with Weber Bus Inc.